This position will play a pivotal role in AutoZone’s strategic objective to accelerate new store development. Provides legal support in all areas of the commercial real estate development process and collaborates closely with business counterparts to facilitate the opening of new retail locations across the United States and Puerto Rico. Responsible for leading a team of AutoZoners within the Real Estate Legal Department. Requires a business-minded attorney with experience in managing a high volume of projects and the ability to efficiently prioritize a heavy workload.
Key Responsibilities
- Drafts and negotiates commercial real estate contracts for new store locations, expansions and relocations of existing locations.
- Reviews and assesses title matters, surveys, environmental reports and other due diligence materials to determine suitability of real estate for AutoZone’s intended use and exposure to risk.
- Provides direction to the preconstruction team on legal matters relating to zoning and permits.
- Supports the construction team with legal matters arising during construction, including retainage and mechanic’s lien laws in all 50 states.
- Monitors the internal closing process.
- Drafts and negotiates ancillary legal documents required to open new locations, including, but not limited to, easement agreements, estoppel letters, subordination agreements, development agreements, escrow agreements, short form leases, and non-disclosure agreements.
- Leads a team of AutoZoners and provides regular feedback, coaching, training, and other professional development to team members.
- Assists in the training of new Real Estate Attorneys and conducts training sessions for the Store Development Real Estate team.
- Assists the Director of Real Estate Legal and assume duties of Director when it is necessary that he/she be absent.
- Responsible for taking the lead on special real estate related projects.
- Stays up to date on current developments in Commercial Real Estate Law and participates in revising company policies, practices, and forms based on developments.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- This position has two or more direct reports
Education and/or Experience
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree required
- Minimum 10 years of legal experience; minimum 5 years practicing in commercial real estate.
- Firm, in-house experience is strongly preferred.
- Licensed Member of a state bar
